AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 3 Audi of America reported its all-time best sales year and has broken its U.S. sales record of 74,061 units sold in 1985. Total Audi sales for 2000 are 80,372 up 21.9 percent over 1999 sales of 65,959. This marks Audi's sixth straight year of double-digit growth. For the month, Audi reported sales of 7,440, up 14.8 percent, making it the best December in company history.

Audi's current sales success has its beginnings in the mid-90s with the revitalization of the entire product line.

The introduction of the first-generation A4 in 1995 was the catalyst that ignited the sales growth leading to Audi's comeback. The A8 followed and, with its revolutionary aluminum spaceframe, reinforced Audi's technology
leadership. Then came the all-new A6, which redefined luxury in the mid-size segment with its breakthrough interior and exterior design.

The arrival of the TT in May 1999 vaulted Audi to the top of the automotive design world, and rounded out the lineup that would return the company to its previous U.S. sales heights. Finally, the versatile Audi allroad quattro, introduced in early November, leads the company into the emerging crossover segment.

Another milestone in 2000 was the 20th anniversary of Audi's permanent all-wheel drive system, quattro. Quattro continues to evolve and is now in its fourth generation.